In the spirit of considering different self defense scenarios, please give me your opinions on this one ... based upon a TV (Cops, as I recall?) story.

You and your significant other pull into a self serve gas station. The station is on an intersection, and the cross streets are full of traffic. Your significant other is insulted by some fellows in the car on the other side of the pumps (street side). They look like gangsters. You hear something about the color she is wearing.

You're at the rear of the car, pumping fuel. She is in the car, passenger side. There is one 'gangster' at the back of his car, pumping fuel as well. The two 'gangsters' in the other car are beginning to get out of their car.

CCW or not? I think that has a lot to do with the situation. Anytime I leave my comfortable suburb I have a weapon nearby.

My first priority would be to move to the passenger side of the car and get the wife behind the front wheel if the threats are still moving closer. Remaining in the car would make her a much easier target but running might also do the same. If the "gangstas" get close enough and are intent on harming you, draw and fire away!

I go to school in a very bad part of town and in the past year, one student has been shot and several citizens in the area have been shot and died as a result. Although I try to avoid filling up the tank near that part of town, every once in a while it has to be done. I have run through this scenario in my head numerous time and it helps to have a plan. Sitiuational awareness is also a key in an instance such as this. You have to be able to think and move very quickly.

I also think it depends on how hostile your antagonists are. But it is probably best to treat them all as severe threats.

All the above is IMHO. Some of the schooled tacticians on this board may have a better solution to the scenario.

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"When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise."
--Proverbs 10:19

Skyhawk, me lad, I like the way your mind works. And you can always claim it was an accident!

Situational awareness; Condition "Yellow-and-a-half!"

It might not be a bad idea to pre-plan for a "bad neighborhood" situation. Or even late at night on an Interstate, since you don't really know if it's a "bad" or a "good" area. That is, consider having the passenger move to the driver's seat upon first stopping at the pump. If possible, use the pumps closest to the office-area.

Given that this sort of thing is indeed a real-world problem, why not make a "planning run" or two, and run your scenarios through your mind?

Sorry to post twice in a row, but I posted while forgetting what my actual posting intention was! Anyway, I'd agree with those involved that moving my signifigant other to the driver's side seat is the best option..... It'd hold up better in court if you took all defensive actions before you opened fire. Especially if they decided to sue you. so,
1)move other to the driver's seat
2)verbal warning
3) (if warning not heeded) draw, rack, and point at the nearest threat
4)(again, if threat does not heed) fire until he/she/it drops, reload, hold for the police

When I was in high school I worked in a Full service/Self service station at night.Cliff a regular customer that I knew well had pulled up to the self serve pump just in front of a man who was pulling in from the opposite direction.The other man was visiably upset and started blowing his horn and swearing.He immediately got out of his car with a shortened baseball bat and started toward Cliff.Cliff immediately doused the man with gasoline and produced a Zippo lighter.I never heard him say a word. The man immediately ceased his avdance,proceded in removing his t-shirt and swearing at the top of his lungs.The man went to the pay phone on the corner of the parking lot and called 911.After taking statements from all the witnesses,(me and another co-worker)the responding officers let everyone go home.It was by far one of the strangest things I've ever seen.

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